AZA Grants Accreditation to Greensboro Science Center

“By
meeting Association of Zoos and Aquariums Accreditation Standards, Greensboro
Science Center sets itself apart as one of the top zoos and aquariums in the
world,” said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy. “The Greensboro
Science Center is
a leader in the care and conservation of wildlife, and in educating people
about the natural world.”

To
be accredited, the Greensboro Science Centerunderwent a thorough review
to ensure it has and will continue to meet ever-rising standards, which include
animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. AZA
requires zoos and aquariums to successfully complete this rigorous
accreditation process every five years in order to be members of the
Association.

The
accreditation process includes a detailed application and a meticulous on-site
inspection by a team of trained zoo and aquarium professionals. The inspecting
team observes all aspects of the institution’s operation, including animal
care; keeper training; safety for visitors, staff and animals; educational
programs; conservation efforts; veterinary programs; financial stability; risk
management; visitor services; and other areas.Finally, top officials are interviewed at a formal hearing of AZA’s
independent Accreditation Commission, after which accreditation is granted,
tabled, or denied.Any institution that
is denied may reapply one year after the Commission’s decision is made.

"In
today's economy, credibility and community confidence are everything,” said
Glenn Dobrogosz, Executive Director of the Greensboro Science Center. “As North
Carolina's only dually AZA and AAM accredited science institution, the GSC
staff and board of directors have worked extremely hard to make sure that
Greensboro and the Triad are home to an organization on the cutting edge of
science-focused change and transformation. Accreditation is the national gold
standard and foundation on which sustainable growth and expansion begins."
The Greensboro Science Center is seeing evidence of strong community support by
consistently breaking visitation records. On Sunday, April 6, 2014, the Center
welcomed its 300,000th visitor since the opening of the Carolina SciQuarium on
June 29, 2013.

Founded
in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a nonprofit
organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of
conservation, education, science, and recreation. Look for the AZA logo
whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting
an institution dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great
experience for you, and a better future for all living things. AZA is a leader
in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their
native habitats. For more information, please visit www.aza.org."